Timaru is a small coastal city in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located in the Canterbury region and is the largest city in the South Canterbury district. The city is situated in the foothills of the Southern Alps and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Rangitata River, and the Waitaki River.
Timaru has a population of approximately 31,000 people, making it the third largest city in the South Island. The city has a rich history and was first settled by Māori in the early 1800s. The city was officially established in 1853 by Captain C.J. Daniell, who named the city after the Māori word for “place of shelter”.
The city is home to a number of historic sites, including the historic Timaru Harbour and the South Canterbury Museum. The harbour is the oldest port in New Zealand and is a popular spot for fishing and boating. The South Canterbury Museum is home to a variety of artifacts and displays that highlight the history of the region.
Timaru is also home to a number of educational institutions, including the University of Canterbury, which is located in the city. The city is also home to a number of parks, including Caroline Bay and the botanical gardens.
Timaru is a popular tourist destination, offering a range of activities such as fishing, sailing, and surfing. The city is also home to a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the South Canterbury A&P Show and the Timaru Jazz Festival.
Overall, Timaru is a vibrant city with a rich history and a range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Experience Timaru with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Timaru. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Timaru, New Zealand has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. In spring (September-November), temperatures range from cool to mild, with occasional rain showers. Summer (December-February) is usually warm and dry, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s Celsius. Autumn (March-May) is mild and wet, with temperatures ranging from cool to mild. Winter (June-August) is cold and wet, with temperatures often reaching below 0 Celsius. Overall, Timaru has a mild climate with plenty of sunshine and moderate rainfall throughout the year.
Our weather forecast for Timaru helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
| Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun. 17th 2026 Jun. 17th 2026 | max: 9.0 °C min: 7 °C |
18.0 m/s 29.2 m/s |
94.7 % 24.1 m |
71.7 % 1,012 hPa |
08:10:27 17:01:19 |
|
| Jun. 18th 2026 Jun. 18th 2026 | max: 9.3 °C min: 4.9 °C |
16.6 m/s 27.7 m/s |
13.5 % 24.1 m |
78.8 % 1,013 hPa |
08:10:48 17:01:24 |
|
| Jun. 19th 2026 Jun. 19th 2026 | max: 11.1 °C min: 4.7 °C |
13.3 m/s 16.9 m/s |
51.2 % 24.1 m |
70.0 % 1,018 hPa |
08:11:07 17:01:32 |
|
| Jun. 20th 2026 Jun. 20th 2026 | max: 13.9 °C min: 10.4 °C |
24.5 m/s 42.5 m/s |
95.5 % 24.0 m |
72.4 % 1,014 hPa |
08:11:25 17:01:41 |
|
| Jun. 21st 2026 Jun. 21st 2026 | max: 12.5 °C min: 9.1 °C |
10.8 m/s 10.4 m/s |
32.9 % 24.1 m |
89.0 % 1,024 hPa |
08:11:40 17:01:53 |
|
| Jun. 22nd 2026 Jun. 22nd 2026 | max: 10.2 °C min: 8.8 °C |
14.0 m/s 19.8 m/s |
76.4 % 24.1 m |
88.4 % 1,030 hPa |
08:11:53 17:02:07 |
|
| Jun. 23rd 2026 Jun. 23rd 2026 | max: 11.0 °C min: 6.9 °C |
10.1 m/s 12.6 m/s |
0.5 % 24.1 m |
79.8 % 1,029 hPa |
08:12:04 17:02:23 |
|
| Jun. 24th 2026 Jun. 24th 2026 | max: 9.3 °C min: 6.2 °C |
8.3 m/s 9.0 m/s |
37.4 % 24.1 m |
80.4 % 1,027 hPa |
08:12:12 17:02:40 |
|
| Jun. 25th 2026 Jun. 25th 2026 | max: 8.7 °C min: 5.3 °C |
8.6 m/s 10.1 m/s |
71.3 % 24.1 m |
74.8 % 1,018 hPa |
08:12:19 17:03:00 |
|
| Jun. 26th 2026 Jun. 26th 2026 | max: 8.3 °C min: 6.9 °C |
16.6 m/s 23.4 m/s |
67.9 % 23.9 m |
83.0 % 1,017 hPa |
08:12:23 17:03:22 |
|
| Jun. 27th 2026 Jun. 27th 2026 | max: 9.8 °C min: 5.5 °C |
33.1 m/s 52.6 m/s |
42.1 % 24.1 m |
73.2 % 1,012 hPa |
08:12:26 17:03:46 |
|
| Jun. 28th 2026 Jun. 28th 2026 | max: 8.8 °C min: 2.7 °C |
17.6 m/s 25.9 m/s |
18.1 % 24.1 m |
60.7 % 1,023 hPa |
08:12:26 17:04:11 |
|
| Jun. 29th 2026 Jun. 29th 2026 | max: 11.7 °C min: 6.6 °C |
9.4 m/s 10.8 m/s |
37.2 % 24.1 m |
58.3 % 1,032 hPa |
08:12:23 17:04:39 |
Would you like to travel to Timaru on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Timaru.
| Date | Ship | Passaengers (min - max) | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 12th 2026 Saturday, 12th of Dec. 2026 | Azamara Pursuit | 704 - 774 | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
| Dec. 31st 2026 Thursday, 31st of Dec. 2026 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 07:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
| Jan. 29th 2027 Friday, 29th of Jan. 2027 | MS Riviera | 1258 - 1447 | 10:30 am | 07:30 pm | |
| Feb. 16th 2027 Tuesday, 16th of Feb. 2027 | MS Riviera | 1258 - 1447 | 07:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
| Feb. 26th 2027 Friday, 26th of Feb. 2027 | MS Riviera | 1258 - 1447 | 10:30 am | 07:30 pm | |
| Mar. 2nd 2027 Tuesday, 2nd of Mar. 2027 | Seabourn Quest | 450 - 540 | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
| Mar. 8th 2027 Monday, 8th of Mar. 2027 | MS Europa 2 | 516 | 08:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
| Mar. 9th 2027 Tuesday, 9th of Mar. 2027 | MS Noordam | 1972 - 2366 | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
| Dec. 12th 2027 Sunday, 12th of Dec. 2027 | Azamara Pursuit | 704 - 774 | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
| Dec. 26th 2027 Sunday, 26th of Dec. 2027 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 12:30 pm | 07:00 pm | |
| Dec. 29th 2027 Wednesday, 29th of Dec. 2027 | Silver Moon | 576 - 691 | 09:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
| Dec. 30th 2027 Thursday, 30th of Dec. 2027 | Seven Seas Mariner | 708 - 779 | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
| Jan. 11th 2028 Tuesday, 11th of Jan. 2028 | MS Vista | 1218 - 1469 | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
| Jan. 11th 2028 Tuesday, 11th of Jan. 2028 | Seven Seas Mariner | 708 - 779 | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
| Jan. 12th 2028 Wednesday, 12th of Jan. 2028 | Silver Moon | 576 - 691 | 08:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
| Feb. 27th 2028 Sunday, 27th of Feb. 2028 | Seven Seas Splendor | 754 - 829 | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
| Feb. 28th 2028 Monday, 28th of Feb. 2028 | Seven Seas Mariner | 708 - 779 | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
| Mar. 7th 2028 Tuesday, 7th of Mar. 2028 | Norwegian Spirit | 2018 - 2414 | 07:00 am | 03:00 pm | |
| Apr. 4th 2028 Tuesday, 4th of Apr. 2028 | MS Zaandam | 1432 - 1718 | 07:00 am | 03:00 pm | |
| Dec. 13th 2028 Wednesday, 13th of Dec. 2028 | Scenic Eclipse II | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jan. 4th 2029 Thursday, 4th of Jan. 2029 | Scenic Eclipse II | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jan. 5th 2029 Friday, 5th of Jan. 2029 | Scenic Eclipse II | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jan. 27th 2029 Saturday, 27th of Jan. 2029 | Scenic Eclipse II | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Jan. 28th 2029 Sunday, 28th of Jan. 2029 | Scenic Eclipse II | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Feb. 8th 2029 Thursday, 8th of Feb. 2029 | MS Marina | 1258 - 1447 | 10:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
| Feb. 20th 2029 Tuesday, 20th of Feb. 2029 | Seven Seas Explorer | 754 - 829 | 07:00 am | 05:00 pm |
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